Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-04-15
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Written and compiled for the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, April 1lth, '87.

which had been arranged. But Ia
the fashionable world the impor-
lance of the day did not end with its
religious observance. 1t marked
another epoch-the casting aside Of
sackcloth and ashes and the re-
sumption OF gayeties and spring
bonnets.
At the White House Easter did
not interfere with the regular order
beyond the special privilege given
to the children of the District. In
accordance with a time-honored
custom they have the full freedom
of the White House grounds on
Easter Monday for the purpose Of
egg.rolIing, and while / am writing
thousands of children from seventy
years old down, of both sexes may
be seen on the grassy slopes enjoy
ing the sport.
The National Drill which begins
on the 2srd OF next month and con-
tinues nine days, ending on "Dec'
Grafton Day." will be a grand gath
ering of citizen sOldiery. The smoke
occasioned by the color line has
dwindled away, and from beneath
it comes the steady enrolment Of
additional militia who recognize the
fact that troops of the colored race
have a right to do their best in hie
coming AfiHaiiRg contest.
OF all the absurdities that have
come to the surface lately, the
withdrawal of certain Southern
companies from the drill because
some colored military-regularly
organized militia-were admitted
to participate, is the most far'fetch'
ed and reprehenslble. The coming
event is a public affair, a national
affair, and involves no social equali'
ty or ASSOCIATION whatever. At the
Yorkton celebration the brigade
commanded by Gen. Fitz Lee in
cluded number of colOred com.
panies, and their bearing and
marching was no discredit to the
command. On the contrary they
acquitted themselves eIcellently
well. Colored troops took part in
the Cleveland inauguration also and
no section OF the country was Of
Tended by it.
The hasty action of some Of the
ultra southerners is very much re-
GREETED, as is shown in the case OF
Governor Lee of Virginia. He was
the first official to enter colored
troops for the drill, and when it be-
came apparent that opposition was
to be made, he ordered his adjutaut
to proceed to Washington and en-
ter the whole four brigades of the
Virginia National Guards. 1t was
first intended 10 enter only three
companies, but now all will come,
bringing with them equipments aud
horses, for two regiments are cav
airy.
The recalcitrant course Of the
Montgomery "Greys' and "True
Blues has received much unfavor-
able comment. They will simply
lose the best opportunity they have
ever had for a public display OF
their soldiership and discipline,
while the grand spectacle will pro-
coed as imposingly as if they had
lent their presence to its success
So it is not for their loss that the
promoters of the Washington En-
campment regret what has taken
place. They, with liberal minded
patriotic people everywhere, are
sorry to see such evidence of mar
rowness of feeling on the part of the
citizen soldiers in any part of the
Union. And they particularly re-
gret that race antipatbies and sec.
tional prejudice, which should have
been laid aside at the end of the re
construction era, survive in 80 Of
fensive form. What a text the
National Drill episode will furnish
the Republican orator in Congress
and on the stump if he is inclined
to take advantage of it.
The drill will take place on the
level ellipse lying south Of the Elk
ecutive Mansion which is called the
"White LOTT 1t is a mile in cir
conference. 1t will be enclosed
and seats arranged in amphithea
tire style. The ghostly city of tent
will be located on the ground
around the Washington Monument
Daily contests will be held to show
the proficiency Of the cavalry, in
fantr,, artillery and zouave tactics
and each evening there will be
grand dress parade. Cash prize
will be distributed to the amour
of $2j, 800, besides stands of colors
gold, silver and bronze medals
special medals and plate trophies
The great parade will take plac'
on Governors day, when at leas
twenty Chief Executives o
states will review the procession
with the President. II will doubt
less be the largest gathering seel
here since the grand review at tn,
end of the war. Thirty.six state
and some territories will be repre-
scented in the contest, and tens 0
thousands OF visitors will come I,
look on. Fortunately they will se
the National Capital at the heigh